In 1998, the Good Friday Agreement was signed by the British and Irish governments and leaders from Northern Ireland. This agreement required Belfast’s government to include people from both communities. It also allows people born in Belfast and the rest of Northern Ireland to choose British citizenship, Irish citizenship, or both. Armed groups were asked to give up their weapons, which helped bring an end to most violence. While some tensions still exist in Belfast, such as neighborhoods showing different flags and murals, the agreement has helped keep the city mostly peaceful and ensures that different voices are represented in government.
